New Membrane Purifies Tough to Treat Water

The new low-fouling reverse osmosis membrane from GE is designed to extend membrane life in water applications that are difficult to treat and is now available globally.

May 09, 2013

GE’s new membrane, the AG LF series, purifies tough-to-treat water such as wastewater from industrial processes. GE’s new technology is a low-fouling reverse osmosis (RO) membrane that resists degradation from water containing bacteria, colloids, and other materials that foul and shorten membrane element life.

GE successfully pilot tested the new, low-fouling RO membrane in Asia. Customer experience with the AG LF membrane has shown the membranes require fewer cleaning cycles compared to conventional brackish membranes in tough-to-treat applications, such as steel production, power plants and plating processes. The new low-fouling membrane can reduce the time between cleanings by up to 50 percent, although actual results will vary with specific application conditions.

“Our new low-fouling RO membrane offers higher efficiency with less frequent cleaning cycles, leading to extended life, lower operating pressure and reduced environmental impact. Now offered to our industrial and municipal customers around the world, this new membrane technology specifically addresses tough-to-treat water,” said Yuvbir Singh, general manager, engineered systems—water and process technologies for GE Power & Water.

With water scarcity and lack of fresh water in many regions, there is an increasing need to purify difficult-to-treat water so it can be reused in industrial applications, such as power plants and metals processing. GE’s new AG LF membrane can reduce the amount of harmful effluent wastewater that is sent to municipal sewage or to fresh water sources. It features a unique coating technology that improves cleaning cycles, reduces pressure and reduces friction on the surface of the membrane, making it resistant to organic fouling.